Arsenal’s Merino recovers after surgery: Ready for the World Cup?

Mikel Merino undergoes surgery for foot injury

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has undergone surgery due to a right foot injury sustained in January. The Spanish international suffered a stress fracture in his foot during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25. Arsenal expects Merino to be out for an extended period.

Mikel Merino has undergone surgery for a foot injury.The 29-year-old player posted a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram with his thumb up and wrote: “Surgery done! Already closer to returning. Thank you very much to everyone for your messages and affection. It really gives me even more energy to face the challenge. Let’s go!” Sources close to Merino indicate that he is optimistic about his return to action in May, which would allow him to be available to be part of the Spanish national team in this summer’s World Cup. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta recently mentioned that it is difficult to predict when Merino will play again.

“It’s a very rare injury, so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery, how it reacts daily, obviously monitor it during the weeks after the surgery and see,” Arteta commented.

Merino has played 33 games with the Gunners this season. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 21 Premier League appearances.